News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 19, 2026
Local News
Pilot CUP approved; New Kent supervisors concerned about regional radio grid
New Kent supervisors have approved a 10-year conditional use permit (CUP) for Pilot LLC. Action took place during the Oct. 29 board of supervisors work session after being deferred from the Oct. 14 regular monthly meeting. During the regular meeting, last minute additions to the permit raised concerns for supervisors, causing action to be halted until the work session. Pilot representative Jack Wilson reiterated the additions that include allowing Pilot to address parking concerns with a parking study and allowing the company to add at least 15 new spaces at its location on Route 106 (Emmaus Church Road). Those additional…
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NKSO issues warning of individuals acting as social service workers
New Kent Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning for county citizens to be on the lookout for individuals portraying themselves as employees of New Kent Department of Social Services. Recently, individuals have visited homes in and outside of the county, indicating they were employees of the department of social services and inspecting the homes. New Kent Sheriff’s Office has investigated calls and conducted an investigation and identified these people are not employees of, nor appear to have any connection to the county’s department of social services. The sheriff’s office is recommending that if someone approaches you claiming to be from…
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Traffic delays on Route 5 expected beginning in early November
Beginning in early November, the Herring Creek Bridge on Route 5 in Charles City will be undergoing construction. During repairs, the road will have one lane open with a temporarily traffic light installed to direct traffic. Motorists can expect delays through that area or may use a detour provided. Large trucks will be directed to detour due to width and weight limitations on the bridge. No estimated time frame has been announced for the completion of the repairs.
Charles City supervisors defer action on implementing business permit fee
Charles City supervisors have chosen to temporarily halt implementing a business permit fee after questions arose at their Oct. 28 regular monthly meeting. While supervisors had no problem with the $30/year cost for the permit, language written in the proposed ordinance about which businesses should receive an exemption confused the leaders. Specifically, supervisors wondered if farmers were on the exemption list. “I want to make sure we have the list of exemptions correctly,” said District 3 representative Floyd Miles Sr. “If we decide to give farmers exemptions, I want to make sure the language reads correctly.” According to county attorney…
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Arrests made in connection with thefts from unlocked vehicles in New Kent
Arrests have been made in connection with vehicle break-ins that occurred earlier this year in a New Kent County subdivision. Back on Jan. 8, the New Kent Sheriff’s Office received reports of thefts from unlocked vehicles parked in The Colonies subdivision in the Lanexa area of the county. As a result of an investigation headed by Detective Sgt. Farrar Howard III and physical evidence obtained, Joseph Adam Klesh, 19, of the 9000 block of Chesapeake Boulevard in Norfolk, and a male juvenile were arrested on Sept. 26. Both suspects have been charged with one count each of residential burglary at…
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Driver faces long list of charges after police chase on I-64 ends in New Kent
A Williamsburg man faces charges lodged by three police agencies in connection with pursuit of a stolen vehicle that ended with a crash off Interstate 64 in New Kent County. Following the Oct. 17 chase, Isaac De Jesu Tobar-Morales, 27, of the 700 block of Burgess St., has been charged with felony eluding and possession of stolen property in New Kent, driving under the influence and several traffic violation by state police, and grand larceny and eluding by James City County police. New Kent Sheriff’s Office received report of a stolen vehicle heading west on I-64 into New Kent from…
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Six-year prison term imposed on 7-Eleven robber
A Shacklefords man involved in a May 6 early morning robbery of the 7-Eleven store located in Eltham will serve six years in prison after accepting a plea deal in New Kent Circuit Court. Trey Daquan Smith, 19, of the 200 block of Clancie Road, entered guilty pleas to one count each of robbery and use of a firearm to commit a robbery during an Oct. 27 trial. One charge of conspiracy to commit robbery was dropped. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, Smith entered the establishment just after 1 a.m. with an alleged codefendant,…
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Eltham Bridge opening Oct. 28, closing traffic; pothole patching on Interstate 64 in New Kent
The Eltham Bridge connecting New Kent and West Point will be closed on Oct. 28, 2-2:30 p.m. for a scheduled opening. Drivers are expected to experience delays over that time frame. Pothole patching on Interstate 64 will occur during the overnight hours on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28. On Oct. 27, the left lane of Interstate 64 eastbound will be closed between mile marker 205 to mile marker 224, while on Oct. 28, the right lane of Interstate 64 westbound between mile marker 205 and mile marker 224 will be closed to complete the patching.
Charles City woman convicted for assaulting a police officer
A Charles City woman who assaulted a police officer last year has been convicted in circuit court. Lisa Marie Groffel, 35, of the 3000 block of Barnetts Road, entered an Alford guilty plea during Oct. 24 Charles City Circuit Court proceedings. Under the Alford plea, Groffel maintains her innocence but stipulates that evidence is enough to convict her of the crime. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, on Oct. 2, 2013, Deputy Vicki Byrd responded to a domestic assault at the defendant’s residence. After a few moments that included the defendant barricading herself inside her…
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Quinton Volunteer Fire and EMS removes women’s auxiliary group from station
A women’s auxiliary group that has traditionally helped host a number of popular fundraisers and annual activities in western New Kent can no longer function out of the building the group has called home for many years. Action took place in early October to remove the women’s auxiliary for Quinton Volunteer Fire and Rescue (Company 2) from the company’s station on Route 249 (New Kent Highway) in Quinton. The move by company officials apparently places the group’s existence in jeopardy. New Kent Fire and Rescue Chief Rick Opett confirmed that the group no longer will be allowed to use the…
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